The original version of this article was published in Spanish on the blog Globalizado by Juan Arellano. Peru's election this year has proven to be an unusual one. Candidates have been crossed off the list, some were disqualified, and others withdrew voluntarily (the field has dropped from 19 candidates to 10). Campaigns have focused more on attacks than presenting ideas and policy proposals. A debate organised by the electoral authority was poorly structured and offered more of the same, giving one more reason to criticise the National Jury of Elections, which many accuse of bias towards certain candidates. In the past few years, Peruvian politics been defined by weak political parties, favoring a surge of independent and very individualistic political projects with limited reach at the local and regional levels. Meanwhile, the electorate seems to be waiting for the emergence of new, non-traditional politicians, also referred to as “outsiders“. In the country's current election, many believed Julio Guzmán fit this profile, but he was later barred by the National Jury of Elections. The role of the media must also be mentioned, as different outlets side openly with preferred candidates, attacking their rivals. Polling agencies have also gotten involved in the process, allegedly playing with the statistics of their own sociological work, in order to manipulate public images. Just days before Peru's presidential election, which is planned for Sunday, April 10, 2016, the only thing that is certain is that candidate Keiko Fujimori will make it to the runoff. Whom she'll face there remains a mystery. For those who are unfamiliar with Peruvian politics, here is a brief summary of the “surviving” candidates in these elections: Keiko Fujimori. The daughter of ex-President Alberto Fujimori, currently jailed for corruption and human rights violations, is running on a right-wing platform in line with her father's style of government. She studied business administration, but has always been involved in politics since she became first lady at the age of 19. Her last name has been enough for her to maintain a sustained flow of supporters, which has kept her in first place in the polls since the presidential race began. In the last few weeks, a variety of civil rights groups have intensified the campaign against her, claiming a government led by her would be bad for human rights. There have been protests at her rallies and marches in many Peruvian cities, the most successful of which was held on Tuesday April 5—the anniversary of the coup staged by her father, with an estimated participation in Lima of 50,000 people. ¡Gracias amigos de #Pucallpa! ¡Ha sido un verdadero gusto cerrar nuestra campaña con ustedes! #JuntosHaciaElFuturo pic.twitter.com/PJXwRDDVco — Keiko Fujimori (@KeikoFujimori) 7 de abril de 2016 Thank you to my friends in #Pucallpa! It has been a real pleasure to close our campaign with you! Together Towards The Future Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Better known as PPK, Kuczynski is an economist who has been state minister several times, as well as cabinet president. His résumé and business record have earned him supporters, especially in Lima. Working against him are his advanced age—he is 77—and his well-earned reputation for lobbying. He's currently second in national polls. If he makes it to the second round, many believe that the choice between him and Keiko Fujimori would be very similar, given that he is also a right-wing candidate who seeks continuity with the fujimorist economic model. His support for Keiko Fujimori in previous presidential races further underscores this point. ¡Lleno total! Muchas gracias por acompañarnos esta noche de Cierre de Campaña.#VoyConPPK pic.twitter.com/Gob4IOCloi — PedroPablo Kuczynski (@ppkamigo) 7 de abril de 2016 Full house! Thank you for joining us tonight for the closure of our campaign. I'm With PPK Verónica Mendoza. “La Vero” is a psychologist and is currently a member of Congress. Her candidacy for the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) party is one of the two that can be called left-wing. From barely figuring in the polls a few months ago, she is now—depending on which survey you consult—in a virtual tie with PPK for second place. This frightens many in the right wing, who often call her “chavista” or “terruca” (terrorist)—words that frighten many of Peru's voters. If her upward trend continues and she makes it to the second round against Keiko Fujimori, Peru will have its first woman president. The economic side of her government plan is what concerns analysts the most, as it goes against the right-wing model that currently prevails. Gracias, Cusco, mi tierra linda, tierra de gente luchadora y digna.